Gymnastics ~ Back Problems (ouch!)

I have severe back pain all the time! lower mostly, but middle too. I think my back may have too much of an arch in it, I can't stand straight no matter how I try. I also have trouble sleeping because of this, I've always slept on my stomach in a free-falling position & can't fall asleep any other way, but I have to put a pillow under my stomach to try & level my back, which helps only for a little bit. I am on the school Gymnastics team, Gymnastics is my passion so I can't quit doing it. but it hurts so bad! Even simple things like back-walkovers are difficult for me to do some days & I have bad balance because of the arch. I haven't seen a doctor, I want to wait till after the season so I'm not kicked off the team. I was out all last season because of a broken foot. But what can I do to ease the pain!? Does anyone know of any strong over-the-counter medicines or exercises I could try? please help!!
thanx,
Rae

[QUOTE=RaeRae]I have severe back pain all the time! lower mostly, but middle too. I think my back may have too much of an arch in it, I can't stand straight no matter how I try. I also have trouble sleeping because of this, I've always slept on my stomach in a free-falling position & can't fall asleep any other way, but I have to put a pillow under my stomach to try & level my back, which helps only for a little bit. I am on the school Gymnastics team, Gymnastics is my passion so I can't quit doing it. but it hurts so bad! Even simple things like back-walkovers are difficult for me to do some days & I have bad balance because of the arch. I haven't seen a doctor, I want to wait till after the season so I'm not kicked off the team. I was out all last season because of a broken foot. But what can I do to ease the pain!? Does anyone know of any strong over-the-counter medicines or exercises I could try? please help!!
thanx,
Rae[/QUOTE]

Hey Rea, See a doctor first. It can't hurt as theres a posibility that you are causing or will cause perminant damage. If you love gymnastics so much get it checked before your off the team for good. The back can be a very fragile thing if there is a problem with it. At your age most of these problems can be fixed quite easily. Don't wait, act now. I just got word today That I'll never work again. I waited.

I would definetely NOT wait to see a doctor. There is a condition known as 'the gymnasts back'. I think it is along the lines of spondylolithis. It is a slippage of one vertebre over another and that is why you may think you arch is alot more prominent than usual. I definetely wouldn't let it go any longer. You will cause more damage. Your back is not something you want to mess around with, it is permanent. Take it from people with experience and know they shouldn't have waited too long.
Good luck to you and keep us posted!

Please allow me to be the devils advocate. I am much older and enjoyed gymnastics as a teenager. At 35 my back got extremely worse I went to a specialist to find out I had three stress fractures which caused my vertabrae to slip. I have since had two back surgeries.
Please see a doctor. Mine told me the stress fractures looked like what would occur in a gymnast. Years prior. I never told him I had done gymnastics.
DO NOt disregard the pain. Later in life it will rear its head especially if you ever want to carry a child. This is serious.
Lisa

If at all possible, find a doc and physical therapist that have some knowledge of the sport. This can be very important, especially if your goal is to continue. The direction they will go can be quite different than traditional med. And the first words out of their mouth won't be to quit. Check with other members on your team, see who they go to and how they like how they have approached problems and how knowledgeable they are.

But do see someone soon, you really need to know what is causing your pain!!